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Notwithstanding the Gheddafi government’s declarations that it has retaken Tobruk, Ras Lanouf, Misratah and, only 40 km west of Tripoli, Az-Zawiya, rebel forces insist that all of these towns on the coast continue to be under their control.
Both sides, however, agree that fighting in and around Az-Zawiya – where the Libya’s second most important crude oil export refinery is situated – has been fierce with several dead and many more wounded. Reuters quotes a rebel force spokesman in Az-Zawiya as saying that Gheddafi troops entered the town Saturday(March 5) morning “with heavy forces, hundreds of soldiers with tanks”. Misratah too has come under heavy fire.
BBC correspondents on the ground in Ras Lanouf – seized by rebel forces about 48 hours ago – confirm that this strategic port town and home to the country’s most important refinery is in fact not in the hands of Gheddafi’s forces. It seems to be the case, however, that the rebels have been driven out of the town of Bin Jawad, west of Ras Lanouf.
The heavy machine gun shooting that was heard to go on for at least two hours early this (Sunday, March 6) has been explained by spokespersons of Gheddafi’s government as “celebratory”. As the morning progressed central Tripoli was in fact filled with pro-Gheddafi supporters waving weapons and shooting in the air, apparently convinced that the regime had regained lost ground.
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